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Spain
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Spain remained neutral during both World Wars but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39) resulting in a dictatorship. A peaceful transition to democracy after the death of dictator Francisco FRANCO in 1975 and rapid economic modernization after Spain joined the EU in 1986 gave Spain a dynamic and rapidly growing economy.
Profile
CapitalMadrid
Population47.3M
GDP$2361.0B
Area505,370 km²
LanguageCastilian Spanish (official) 74%, Catalan (official in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Community) 17%, Galician (official in Galicia) 7%, Basque (official in the Basque Country and Navarre) 2%, Aranese (official in part of Catalonia) <5,000 speakers
Currencyeuros (EUR) per US dollar -
Leadership
Head of State
Felipe VI of Spain
Since 2014
Head of Government
Pedro Sánchez
Since 2018
At a Glance
Population
47.3M
GDP (PPP)
$2361B
